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| | From:  Lettie011 (Original Message) | Sent: 4/26/2005 11:27 AM |
| World War 1 & WW2 Italian Uniforms |  | - <<< World War 1 Italian infantry uniform (I think a junior Officer)
- Badges of the Italian SS Division of the German Army in Italy.
|  A book by Osprey Publishing Used with permission | An item which is a little off the beaten military track, though in common use in any army is socks. Specifically the type that is worn on the feet. Heading the unusual list in this field must be the socks issued to Italian troops in World War Two.
The standard issue sock (for other ranks) was gray-green coloured, and wool knit, 24cm in length. The unusual feature about the socks was that they had no toe. The toe of the sock, so to speak, was a thin strip of sock, approximately 2cm wide and about 10cm long, which slipped between the big toe and the fourth toe. A piece of cloth called "Pezze da Piedi" (roughly translated piece over the foot) was used to wrap around the front of the sock.
The officers were also issued socks of a similar design, though of better quality and longer at 42cm. However, they used a variety with toes, bought privately or home made.
Why the socks were made like this, I am not sure. Never the less, it is an interesting piece of military hose. |  |  | | Pre WW2 Officer's cap | Officer's cap 39th Infantry |  | | Italian infantry pith helmet as worn in North Africa in WW2 |  |  | | Italian Fascist side cap |  | | | | Tank Driver's helmet | | |
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| An ally in WW1, Italy under Mussolini joined with Hitler in WW2 |  | - Capitano, Italian Infantry
This Infantry Capitano is a member of the 54th Regiment of the Sforzesca Division of the Italian 8th Army. The Sforzesca Division, which was named for the feared Sforza warlord family of Milan, rather failed to live up to that proud legacy when tested by the Russian Army in the Caucasus region in December of 1942. This officer is fortunate not to have been among the 81,000 Italian prisoners taken there by the Russians. Nevertheless, the Fronte Russo pin on his left pocket commemorates his contributions on the Eastern Front, which are impressive. His decorations include two high awards, the Military Order of Italy and the Gold Medal for Army Valor. | | He also wears the Spanish Campaign ribbon for service in Spain. The wool "bustina" forage cap bears his unit's regimental insignia in gold. His rank is shown by the braid on his cuffs. On his upper left sleeve is the somewhat rare "Axis Alliance" patch, which combined Fascist and Nazi symbols signifying Italy's early-war bipartite pact with Germany. Obviously this picture was made in 1943, after the Russian campaign but before Italy's September 8 surrender to the Allies. And yes, the swastika is supposed to be backwards on the Axis Alliance patch. | - Italian Infantry Capitano wearing M33 helmet
Italy's distinctive M1933 helmet was worn by all branches of service from 1933 on. It was usually stenciled, as seen here, with the wearer's brigade insignia. |  |  | - Capitano Italian Decima MAS Marines (beret)
Italy's elite Decima M.A.S. Division Marines served proudly and well throughout the war. M.A.S abbreviates the Italian words for "Motor Torpedo Boat," which harks back to the unit's formation as a speedy seaborne attack force in WWI. This capitano wears the distinctive division arm shield insignia on his upper left sleeve. His Capitano rank is shown by the braid on his cuffs, here in a simplified yellow-thread version for battle dress. The collarless woolen tunic was unique to the Decima MAS and Italy's "Paracadutista" (Paratroop) forces. The Decima MAS wore both blue (as seen here), and also the same gray-green version worn by the Paratroops. | | This officer's single ribbon is that of the Italo-German campaign medal, which he wears in the larger German style. The Assault-Combat badge on his left pocket testifies that he has "seen some action," and on his right pocket is the "Addestramento Germania" badge, given to members of the many Italian units who trained under the Germans. He also wears the signature Decima MAS M41 beret in blue, complete with officer's gold-embroidered anchor insignia for Marine units. Instead of a Sam Browne belt, he wears a functional leather cartridge belt to hold extra magazines for his standard-issue Beretta Model 34 automatic pistol. | - Capitano Italian Decima MAS Marines in combat gear
Here we see the Capitano prepared for action in his Decima MAS blue M1933 helmet. His weapon is Beretta's highly regarded 9-mm submachine gun Model M.A.B. 38-A ("M.A.B." abbreviates "Moschetto Automatico Beretta," literally, Beretta automatic rifle) . This sturdy and dependable weapon was used effectively both by the Italians and by their German allies, many of whom even favored it over their famous "Schmeisser" MP-40. |  | |
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